Buyer's Guide: Deep Diving Crankbaits For Winter And Summer Bass Fishing

Which crankbaits catch the most fish? With thousands of crankbaits to choose from, which baits are worth trying? Today we've gathered our top picks for Summer Time Cranking and our top picks for Winter Time Cranking, and combined them into the ultimate Crankbait Buyer's Guide. No need to second guess this year, these baits have stood the test of time!

When most anglers think of deep cranking they think of summer ledge fishing and Fall feeding frenzies. While there has been a huge swing in the past year toward Winter time cranking, many anglers still don't realize its full potential. Armed with the right baits, Winter cranking can produce the biggest bass of the entire year! 

Today's video has been separated into two categories so you don't confuse the right baits for Summer with the right baits for Winter. You'll find links to all of the baits (in the order they appeared in the video) along with rod and reel recommendations. All of the baits go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 


In-Depth Winter Crankbait Video: https://youtu.be/FPaL13899uc


Previous Buyer's Guides... 

-Swimbaits: https://bit.ly/395vTT6

-High End Combos: https://bit.ly/35PNOeu

-$500 Combos: https://bit.ly/3lW1o5I

-$400 Combos: https://bit.ly/3lSfwwz

-$200 Combos: https://bit.ly/2USSCJv

-$100 Combos: https://bit.ly/37aupED


Warm Water Baits... 

-Strike King 6XD: http://bit.ly/2ery44M

Favorite Colors: Sexy Blue Back Herring, Summer Sexy Shad


-Berkley Dredger 25.5: http://bit.ly/2I8xOcA

Favorite Colors: Irish Gold, Honey Shad


-Strike King 10 XD: http://bit.ly/2gHT4F0

Favorite Colors: Sexy BlueBack Herring, Powder Blue Chartreuse


-Azuma Z Boss 22 and 24: http://bit.ly/2poLKUC

Favorite Colors: Grand Shad, Ol Blue


-Megabass Big M 7.5: https://bit.ly/2yHmm4R

Favorite Colors: Jukucho Shad, MB Gizzard


Cold Water Baits... 

-R2S Tactical DD 75: http://bit.ly/37dclbX

Favorite Colors: Mirrored Minnow, DD Minnow


-Megabass Deep Six: http://bit.ly/2A3clKP

Favorite Colors: MB Gizzard, Ito Wakasagi


-Megabass Deep X 300: http://bit.ly/2sSQHpt

Favorite Colors: MB Gizzard, Megabass Sexy Shad


-Spro Rock Crawler: http://bit.ly/2NFPA5t

Favorite Colors: Phantom Green, Mud Bug, Ozark Craw


All-Around Crankbait Rod... 

Rod- Shimano Zodias 7'6" MH Glass: http://bit.ly/2cgmMAe

Reel- Shimano Tranx 200 HG: http://bit.ly/2Tv0yCy

Line- Sunline Assassin 15 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm


Budget Crankbait Rod... 

Rod- Shimano Intenza 7'6" MH Glass: http://bit.ly/2QADLTq

Reel- Shimano SLX XT HG: http://bit.ly/2BRTYL8

Line- Sunline Assassin 15 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm


Winter Speed Cranking Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 906 CBR: http://bit.ly/2og0BmK

Reel- Shimano Shimano Bantam MGL HG: http://bit.ly/2H44yjG

Line- 12 lb Sunline Assassin: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm


NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Hat: https://bit.ly/31EYB8W

TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7

TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs

TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD

TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G

crank web.jpg

TacticalBassin's New Cold Water Crankbait! Catch Your Biggest Bass This Winter!

We're thrilled to announce our brand new crankbait! The Tactical DD Crankbait 75 is designed for cold water, Winter bass fishing. We partnered with River2Sea on this project to develop a bait that would catch MONSTER bass in the coldest temperatures. Are you tired of dragging worms and jigs all Winter? You're going to love this crank!

In 2011 Matt and Tim realized that what we thought we knew about bass behavior in cold water was incomplete. To their surprise, under the right conditions big bass would aggressively hunt and feed, even in near freezing water conditions. Through years of study and experimentation they began identifying key vibrations that would consistently trigger an aggressive feeding response in these bass. To their amazement, the biggest bass in the schools were the most likely to react!

Fast forward and we arrive at the Tactical DD Crankbait. The guys combined a unique sound profile with incredible fish-catching paint schemes, added a bill shape that fishes well at a variety of diving depths while deflecting off cover with ease, and created a perfect package for targeting big bass in cooler water temperatures. As an added bonus they stumbled on this bait's surprise ability to catch fish at virtually any water temperature when baitfish are present!!

The same sound and vibration combination that works well in cold water also causes a remarkable feed response when bass are actively targeting baitfish. The bait "feels" like a lipless crankbait in the water but has the ability to make abrupt stops and starts that elicit incredible reactions. With this second approach, this "cold water bait" instantly became a year round producer!

The bait...

-Tactical DD Crankbait 75: http://bit.ly/37dclbX

The guy's Favorite Combo...

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 906 CBR: http://bit.ly/2FQj6CZ

Reel- Shimano Bantam MGL HG: http://bit.ly/2H44yjG

Line- 12 lb Sunline Assassin: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

This bait can be thrown with a variety of lighter crankbait rods. It does not require the heavier actions that larger baits require. When considering the best rod, focus on the rods you already use for square bills, smaller deep diving crankbaits, or lipless crankbaits.

Other models we like from various manufacturers...

-G Loomis E6X 845 CBR: http://bit.ly/2G5Bc86

-Dobyns Fury 7' Med Hvy Cranking: http://bit.ly/2bGvlVV

-Expride 7' Medium Glass: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

-Megabass Orochi XX Flatside Special: http://bit.ly/2OSVNwH

Storage, Hook Upgrades, and More...

Box- Plano 3707 Medium Crankbait Organizer: http://bit.ly/2KwA8Kp

Hook Upgrade- Gamakatsu Short Shank EWG Size 2: http://bit.ly/2Qsvgtj

Split Rings- Owner Hyperwire Size 3: http://bit.ly/2v8ArBX

Lure Retriever- Frabill Extendable Pole: http://bit.ly/2TLTJc6

Tactical crank web.jpg